This is a setting of Ps 66 by Marty Haugen. We have only ever used it as a refrain and the verses are a bit tricky. You can listen to an excerpt at AOV. This version is well done.
The text is here. (scroll down) It can be purchased as part of collection of psalms at GIA.
This is an unusual song written by Tom Bolton. The verse is all on the same chord and repeats the same sequence of notes four times. The chorus is more conventional.
The text suggests it is a children’s song. Listen to a snippet at AOV.
Refrain
We could all build a bridge together.
When in need we could help each other.
God says we should love one another,
Stretch our arms out, open our hearts out,
Take good care of each other now,
Take good care of each other now!
Verse 1
Everybody’s standing, everybody’s walking,
everybody’s clapping, everybody’s singing.
Refrain
Verse 2
Everybody cries, everybody growls,
everybody jumps up and down, and everybody shouts.
Refrain
Verse 3
Everybody laughs, everybody smiles,
everybody likes to be liked,
but everybody wants to be first in line.
Refrain
© Tom Bolton 1987
This is a children’s song by Christopher Walker that turns up unexpectedly and gives the impression that the end of this collection gets a bit random. Some children sing it in the excerpt at AOV. The first sentence in the verse is sung solo and then repeated by the assembly. You can hear another version here.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Refrain
We are the Church
Happy to be
The Children in God’s family
We are the Church
Happy to be
The Children in God’s FamilyVerse 1
We are building the Kingdom
We are building the Kingdom
Everyone old and young
Everyone weak and strong
We are building the Kingdom
For…Refrain
Verse 2
We are sharing the Good News
We are sharing the Good News
Everyone old and young
Everyone weak and strong
We are sharing the Good News
For…Refrain
Verse 3
We are following Jesus
We are following Jesus
Everyone old and young
Everyone weak and strong
We are following Jesus
For…Refrain
Verse 4
We are feeding the hungry
We are feeding the hungry
Everyone old and young
Everyone weak and strong
We are feeding the hungry
For …Refrain
© Christopher Walker 1991.
Has anyone heard a church sing this?
The excerpt at AOV is very reverent, but this is a heart felt protest song and I suppose we’ll all be singing it at church soon. The song has a complicated genesis and labyrinthine copyright as you can read at Wikipedia. As the anthem of the civil rights movement the lyrics have varied and you can find all sorts of versions on the net. These are the lyrics in AOV. Listen to Pete Seeger’s version! This gospel version shines too.
1. We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day
CHORUS:
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day
2. We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand
We’ll walk hand in hand some day
CHORUS
3. We shall all be free
We shall all be free
We shall all be free some day
CHORUS
4. We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid some day
CHORUS
5. We shall stand together…
6. The truth will make us free…
7. The Lord will see us through…
8. We shall be like him…
9. The whole wide world around …
© Abingdon Press 1983.
A song based on Ephesians 4:5 by Owen Alstott. The verse is mean to be faster than the refrain and that is a difficult trick to pull off without a cantor so good luck. A snippet at AOV will give you the idea, or you could listen to the whole song here.
It can be purchased for download at OCP.
Refrain
There is one Lord. There is one faith.
There is one fountain flowing with the waters of rebirth.
Verse 1
As the dew from heaven falls upon the earth,
so the love of God descends upon us.
Refrain
Verse 2
See the water flowing from the temple wall,
from the side of Christ renewing all the earth.
Refrain
Verse 3
Like a thirsty deer that longs for running streams,
so my spirit longs for God, the living God.
Refrain
Verse 4
In the roar of waters deep calls out to the deep.
In the surging waves the voice of God is heard.
Refrain
Verse 5
Blest beyond all measure by the love of God,
all creation sings the glory of his name.
Refrain
© OCP 1984,1994.
This is a song by David Light that has odd time signatures in the chorus 4/4, 6/8, 4/4, 2/4 etc. The sample at AOV will give you the tricky timings. It is in AOV for Kids as well and I think its a bit tricky for kids and much too wordy.
Refrain
We are an Easter people, and alleluia is our song!
We are an Easter people, and alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
is our song!
Verse 1
Today is the day so long foretold
in the books of the prophecies of old,
that a Saviour who died would rise again
so that we who believe might rise with him!
Refrain
Verse 2
Today he has come to shed his light
on a people who wandered in endless night.
Now together we live in him and raise
a joyful sacrifice of praise.
Refrain
Verse 3
Today he has conquer’d death and sin,
and the powers of darkness cannot win
over any who give their lives to him!
Let us open our hearts and let Jesus in.
Refrain
Verse 4
Today he has opened up out eyes.
In the morning, he said, the Son would rise!
May we know in the breaking of the bread
the one who is risen from the dead.
Refrain
© David Light 1985.
This one is in high rotation at our church. It has words by Monica O’Brien and Trisha Watts and music by Trisha Watts. The sample at AOV is sort of new age funk if you can believe it. I love the lyrics of this song and I try to remember that every time I stumble over the introduction. Trisha Watts music is never ordinary, even in something that works as well for children as adults.
Chorus
There is one Body, one Spirit, the peace that binds us all.
There is one Lord, one living faith and one God, the maker of all.
Verse 1
Bear with one another in charity, with gentleness and care.
Preserve the unity of the Spirit that we share.
Chorus
Verse 2
Jesus who descended is He who rose above.
To each he gave his gifts to reach the fullness of His love.
Chorus
Verse 3
Living by truth and justice we’ll grow to be like Christ.
In service give our lives, as a body we will rise.
Chorus
© Trisha Watts and Monica O’Brien 1989, 1995.
We have used this Fr Frank Andersen song as an entrance in the past and it is lively enough to get away with it. Listening to it now, I suppose it is also a funeral song.
It has a disturbing similarity to “Bless ’em All” that I am trying to ignore.
The sample at AOV doesn’t work for this one but you could listen to this slowish guitar version.
My backing is fairly country.
Chorus
Welcome home! Welcome home!
Welcome home to the land of your freedom and joy!
Welcome home! Welcome home!
Be at peace in the arms of your God!
Welcome home!
Verse 1
“This is my body now given for you!”
This is the gift you have lived!
And just as the Father embraces the Son,
So do we embrace you! Welcome home!
Chorus
Verse 2
We come to thank you, the people you loved,
For us you have been living word!
The Word you have spoken has nourished our hearts;
Now the Word comes to you! Welcome home!
Chorus
Verse 3
Deep in the Godhead the Mystery you know;
In the love-span of God do you live!
So now shall your prayer be effective and free;
Pray for us now that you’re welcome home!
Chorus
Verse 4
Let there be music and let there be song,
For the triumph that your life has been!
Hear how God’s angels and saints in their joy
Join with us as we sing, Welcome home!
Chorus
© Frank Andersen. 1992
Published by Spectrum Publications.
http://www.spectrumpublications.com.au/
A song designed for a child’s baptism by the folk laureate of Australian liturgical music, Peter Kearney. AOV have an excerpt to listen to.
Peter has put the text up here. You can also visit his website.
My backing does it no favours but it should be fine with guitar and voice.
The perfect storm for haters of their genre, a setting Ps 98 with words by David Haas and music by Marty Haugen. There is a sample to listen to at AOV. We use Bob Dufford’s setting usually and have never sung this one.
The text is here. It can be purchased in a collection of psalms at GIA.
You can hear a church use it here.
